KEY POINTS:
Trucking companies are furious with the Government for announcing last night an increase in road user charges which came into effect today.
Transport Minister Annette King said she didn't give them notice this time because when she did in 2007 there was a $17.5 million mass pre-purchase to beat the deadline.
Diesel vehicles and all other vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes are affected.
Ms King said their rates were raised so they would pay their fair share of the Government's $2.7 billion commitment to land transport infrastructure.
She said the impact would be "relatively insignificant" and she did not expect any noticeable effect on consumer prices.
Road Transport Forum chief executive Tony Friedlander said his organisation had been given an assurance by Ms King that there would be a month's notice of any increase.
"The timing of this increase and the way it has been done mean the minister could not have done more damage to our industry if she had deliberately tried.
"She should not underestimate how angry our members and the industry are."
The increase was announced in a statement posted on the Government's website last night.
The increase means that for a small diesel car it will cost $3.28 more to drive 1000km, or $32.80 more for an average year's motoring of 10,000km.
For larger vehicles, such as a three-tonne SUV, it will cost an extra $49.20 per 10,000km.
A typical five-tonne truck will pay an additional $53.80 per 10,000km, while a 23-tonne four-axle truck can expect to pay an additional $198.
Mr Friedlander said the way the increase had been announced amounted to deliberate deception.
"We explained to her last year how the lag between an immediate increase in costs and being able to raise charge-out rates to cover them can drive some operators to the brink," he said.
"She said she understood. So she obviously doesn't care."
Mr Friedlander said the increase would inevitably flow through into higher costs for businesses and higher prices in supermarkets.
- NZPA
